FR3097133A1 - Equipment intended for physical exercise, especially for the Pilates method. - Google Patents

Abstract

An exercise equipment comprising a frame having a first end at the front, a second end at the rear, and two spars which extend from the first end to the second end, a carriage supported by said side members being configured to perform a translational movement along at least a portion of a length of said side members and having a planar support surface, a first set of springs supported by the carriage, said first set of springs being configured to extend in the direction of at least the first end of the frame, characterized in that said frame further comprises two transverse cross members and four legs, at least one of said transverse cross members having at its front ends a head of engagement by translation in a direction perpendicular to the transverse axis in a complementary cavity formed on the inner surface of the corresponding feet. Said transverse cross member constitutes a support for transverse accessories. Abstract figure: Figure 3

Description

Equipment intended for the practice of physical exercise, in particular for the Pilates method.

Field of invention

The present invention relates to the field of gymnastic equipment, particularly for the Pilates method.

The Pilates method is a system of physical activity developed at the beginning of the 20th century by a sports and human body enthusiast, Joseph Pilates. The Pilates method is practiced on mats with or without accessories or using specific machines such as the "Reformer", the "tower" (or "Tower"), the "Cadillac", the "Ladder Barrel", the " Spine corrector”, the “chair” (also called “Wunda Chair”). Its objective is the development of deep muscles, the improvement of posture, muscle balancing and joint relaxation, for the maintenance, improvement or restoration of physical functions.

Most mechanical Pilates machines of the "Reformer" type consist of a stable frame on which slides a longitudinally movable plate connected to a transverse upright by springs which provides resistance to movement.

The Reformer (trade name) is the most used device in Pilates. It consists of a padded mobile carriage, sliding between two rails. Springs attached under the movable carriage retain the rear of said movable carriage at the rear and fixed end of the reformer machine. These springs create a resistance force to the movement of the mobile carriage.

The rear end of the reformer machine also includes a side support bar which, in some variants, can be adjusted to different positions using an adjustment mechanism. Leaning against this bar facilitates the movement of the mobile carriage forward.

The front end of the reformer machine consists of a system of pulleys-slings retaining ropes on the one hand attached to the front part of the mobile carriage and ending on the other hand with handles or straps. Pulling the ropes via the handles or straps causes the trolley to move directly forward.

State of the art

We know in the state of the art the European patent EP1774994B1 describing an exercise machine comprising:

• a generally rectangular frame having a head end, a foot end and a pair of spaced apart parallel running track members therebetween;
• a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement along said running track members between said head end and said foot end, said carriage having a generally flat top surface, a pair of spaced shoulder pads mounted on said top surface and a headrest extending toward said head end from said top surface of said carriage
• a plurality of elongated elastic members extending between said carriage and said foot end of said frame;
• and a footrest assembly mounted on said frame near said foot end.

The assembly further includes a footrest bar having a central footrest portion and two support arms pivotally mounted to the side walls near the foot end of the frame. The assembly is supported by a U-shaped bar bracket having segment portions pivotally attached to the footrest bar segments at a point between the ends of the segments and further having a straight portion between the of segment.

The straight portion is received in a slot formed in a footrest bar support bracket attached to the foot end of the frame.

Patent EP1583590B1 describes another example of an exerciser comprising a mobile body support, mounted on a frame of the exerciser, for movement along paths provided by the frame. A moveable footrest extends from the exerciser frame. The moveable footrest is adapted to come into contact with the feet of the user, in order to absorb the energy of the movement in a first direction and to provide the user with a bouncing movement, which the user can translate into movement of the movable body support in the opposite direction.

Patent application US2018169464 describes another example of an exercise machine comprising first and second spaced apart elongated side rails. A mobile carriage can be translated along the side rails. An upper bearing surface is present on the carriage, sized to support the entire posterior trunk of an adult human. A plurality of elastic tension members are attached to a bottom of the mobile carriage and can be attached to a plurality of spring anchors. A vertical foot bar is located at the first end of the machine. A pair of carriage pulleys are attached to a second end of the exercise apparatus with carriage cords adjustably attached to the movable carriage, each looped around respective carriage pulleys. There is also a rotational resistance mechanism comprising an elongated resistance band having an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. The rotational resistance mechanism includes a resistor comprising a load element. A user option exists to use one or more of the elastic tension elements and rotational resistance mechanism during an exercise.

US patent US8602953 from the company WUNDAFORMER describes another example of a Pilates reformer which comprises a rectangular frame having two transverse ends connected by longitudinal rails, each transverse end comprising a pair of bases and an interconnecting transverse element. A flat carriage attaches to the frame using springs and can be moved horizontally against the force of the springs by means of rollers along the longitudinal rails. An ergonomic accessory fitted to the frame can be translated in a stowed position to reduce clutter and in an extended position allowing a user mounted on the trolley to access the accessory, one of the transverse ends blocking the accessory when it is is fully deployed. The accessory can be a rotating bench, a sliding and rotating jumping board, a height-adjustable ballet barre.

Disadvantages of the prior art

Pilates machines must have great rigidity and robustness to allow intensive use, individual or more often in the gym. These rigidity constraints have until now restricted the modularity of this equipment to a few known and limited external accessories. However, considering the volumetric footprint of Pilates machines, and therefore the space required for their installation in a gym, it would be desirable to be able to maximize the functionality of the machines through the addition of new equipment in such a way: ( i) stable in order to guarantee a high level of stability, security and performance in the effort; but also (ii) interchangeable so as to allow a certain modularity in the combinations of equipment associated with the Pilates reformer machine to offer complementary exercises, and/or new types of exercises and/or new exercise programs hybrids.

Beyond the small accessories traditionally used in the Pilates method such as: the bar, the ring (in English: "Pilates ring"), the soft ball (in English: "soft ball"), rubber bands, etc., which can be used when practicing on a mat or on a machine; There are a few accessories specific to exercising on a Pilates reformer machine. However, these accessories do not combine the characteristics mentioned above: either they are not stable, or they do not really add new functionalities and simply offer an alternative support for carrying out usual exercises.

The ‘box’ and the ‘jump tray’ are two examples from the common repertoire of known accessories that can be used with or on a Pilates reformer machine:

• The accessory of the 'box' (in English: "the box") comes either (i) to rest on the top of the mobile carriage so that the user perched on this box can perform specific exercises; or (ii) sit on the floor next to the Pilates reformer machine in order to allow the execution of other specific types of exercises. This ‘box’ is a known external accessory of the Pilates reformer machine. Its main drawback is its lack of stability. Indeed, not being fixed during its use on the mobile trolley or on the ground, this box tends to move which can be dangerous during sports practice.
• The jump board accessory attaches to the rear end of the reformer Pilates machine. Its main purpose is to provide a wider support area than the side support bar, which is also located at the rear end of the Pilates reformer machine. Different variants of this jumping platform exist, such as the mobile footrest solution described in patent EP1583590B1.

The solution described in the patent US8602953 makes it possible to fix predefined accessories on a Pilates reformer machine and to make these accessories inherent to the machine. This assembly requires a relatively complex modification of the basic reformer machine, in particular of its front and rear ends. The structural transformations resulting from these modifications prevent the addition of new or complementary accessories.

Finally, prior art Pilates reformer machines do not provide the ability to add, and/or stably attach, and/or easily remove modular accessories to the front end of the machine frame. of Pilates reformer.

Solution provided by the invention

In order to remedy these drawbacks, the present invention relates, in its most general sense, to exercise equipment comprising a frame provided with a first end at the front, a second end at the rear and two side members which extend from the first end to the second end, a carriage supported by said spars being configured to execute a translational movement along at least a portion of a length of said spars and having a planar support surface, a first assembly of springs supported by the carriage, said first set of springs being configured to extend in the direction of at least the first end of the frame, characterized in that

- Said frame further comprises two transverse crosspieces and four feet, at least one of said transverse crosspieces having at its front ends a head for engagement by translation in a direction perpendicular to the transverse axis in a complementary cavity formed on the surface interior of the corresponding feet

- Said transverse crosspiece constituting a support for transverse accessories.

According to a variant, said transverse crosspiece further comprises a drum comprising a central channel of section greater than the section of said transverse crosspiece or the opposite transverse crosspiece.

Advantageously, said drum includes a locking mechanism for locking in a fixed position.

Preferably, the central part of at least one of the transverse crosspieces is round cylindrical in shape. According to an alternative, the cylindrical piece in the center of the crosspiece is not round but of a shape appropriate to the accessory that it supports.

According to a first variant , the equipment further comprises a drum comprising a central channel of section greater than the section of said transverse crosspiece, said drum constituting an accessory capable of being supported by said transverse crosspiece (3) located at the front end of the machine or the transverse beam (4) located at the rear end of the machine.

Advantageously, said drum has a slot for engagement on said transverse crosspiece (3). Once inserted into said transverse crosspiece, the latter serves as an axis so that said drum is free to rotate on itself. Optionally, a locking mechanism can accompany said drum in order to allow either the fixing of the latter in a stable position or to leave the drum free to turn on itself.

According to a variant, said drum has an asymmetrical shape comprising at least one flat surface.

According to another variant, said drum incorporates a resistance system by springs or rubber bands preferably installed inside said drum.

According to a second variant , the equipment further comprises a rowing machine wheel with magnetic resistance able to be entirely or partly supported by said transverse crosspiece (3) located at the front end of the machine or the transverse crosspiece (4) located at the rear end of the machine.

According to an alternative, the equipment further comprises a wheel with hydraulic resistance for a rowing machine able to be fully or partially supported by said transverse crosspiece (3) located at the front end of the machine or the transverse crosspiece (4) located at the rear end of the machine.

According to an alternative, the equipment further comprises a wheel with air resistance for a rowing machine able to be fully or partially supported by said transverse crosspiece (3) located at the front end of the machine or the transverse crosspiece (4) located at the rear end of the machine.

According to an alternative, the equipment further comprises a rowing machine wheel with water resistance capable of being fully or partially supported by said transverse crosspiece (3) located at the front end of the machine or the transverse crosspiece (4) located at the rear end of the machine.

According to a variant, the accessory of said rower includes sensors dedicated to the collection of information related to the movement of the rower as well as a screen dedicated to the dissemination of said collected information.

According to a third variant , the equipment further comprises a pedal chair capable of being fully or partially supported by said transverse crosspiece (3) located at the front end of the machine or by the transverse crosspiece (4) located at the rear end of the machine.

According to a fourth variant , the equipment further comprises a screen or a multimedia tablet. Said multimedia tool constitutes an accessory capable of being fully or partially supported by said transverse crosspiece (3) located at the front end of the machine or the transverse crosspiece (4) located at the rear end of the machine.

Advantageously, the equipment able to be fully or partially supported by said transverse crosspieces (3, 4) includes, according to a variant, at least one connected equipment.

According to a variant, said transverse crosspiece further comprises a rowing wheel with magnetic, or hydraulic, or air or water resistance, constituting an accessory able to be entirely or partially supported by said transverse crosspiece or the opposite transverse crosspiece.

According to another variant, said transverse crosspiece comprises a pedal chair constituting an accessory able to be fully or partially supported by said transverse crosspiece or the opposite transverse crosspiece.

According to another variant, said transverse crosspiece further comprises multimedia equipment, such as a screen or a tablet, supported entirely or in part by said transverse crosspiece or the opposite transverse crosspiece.

Detailed description of a non-limiting example of the invention

The present invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description of a non-limiting example of the invention which follows, with reference to the appended drawings where:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the frame of a Pilates machine according to the invention

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a Pilates machine according to the invention

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a Pilates machine with the drum accessory according to the invention

Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the profile of a foot

Figure 5 shows sectional views of examples of other executions of the profile of a foot

Figure 6 shows a three-quarter top view of a profile of a foot

Figure 7 shows a rear three-quarter view of a section of a spar

FIG. 8 represents a partial view of the assembly of the constituent elements of a Pilates machine according to the invention

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the assembly of a foot and a crosspiece

Figure 10 shows a partial view of an example of a drum-type accessory installed on one of the transverse crossbars of the Pilates machine

Figure 11 shows a partial view of an example of a rowing machine type accessory installed on one of the transverse crossbars of the Pilates machine

Figure 12 shows a partial view of an example of a chair-type accessory installed on one of the transverse crossbars of the Pilates machine

Figure 13 shows a partial view of an example of a multimedia accessory consisting of a screen or a tablet

Figure 14 shows a perspective view of a cross beam

Figure 15 shows a perspective view of a drum inserted on a cross beam

Figure 16 shows a partial view of the assembly of a drum on a cross beam

Figure 17 shows a perspective view of a variant of the drum comprising a flat face and a half-cylinder face

General description of the framework and the Pilates machine according to the invention

Figures 1 and 2 show perspective views of a Pilates machine frame according to the invention, and of a Pilates machine with its main components.

The frame consists of two beams (1, 2), two crosspieces (3, 4) and four feet (5 to 8) each ensuring the connection at 90° between a beam and a crosspiece.

Optionally, one or more additional cross members (190) are added to improve the rigidity and stability of the frame.

The frame components are made of metal profiles, preferably aluminum profiles.

The feet (5 to 8) provide vertical cavities opening into a slot (51; 61; 71; 81) provided in the front cap (52; 62; 72; 82) closing the foot (5 to 8).

Said lights allow the insertion of useful accessories for the practice of physical exercise such as vertical bars (53, 63). According to a variant, a first set of vertical bars (53, 63) is mounted on the frame near the head end of the latter, by engagement in the cavities (51, 61) provided in the feet (5, 6).

A mobile carriage (9) slides on the beams (1, 2). It is retained in a known manner by a set of springs (12) fixed to the crosspiece (4) on the one hand, and to the mobile carriage (9) on the other hand.

Alternatively, an additional transverse bar is fixed on the two longitudinal members (1, 2) at the rear end of the frame, according to an adjustable position, for fixing said set of springs (12) retaining the mobile carriage (9).

A movable hoop (10) is also articulated around pivots (11) fixed to the beams (1, 2), allowing positioning at a desired angle and then locking in this position. This hoop (10) constitutes the lateral support bar of the reformer machine.

Figures 3 show a perspective view of a Pilates machine with the drum attachment (55) attached to the crossbar (3) at the front end of the machine frame.

Detail of the crosspiece

FIG. 14 shows at least one of the transverse crosspieces (3, 4) composed of a long cylindrical part (162) preferably being round in shape and fixed at each of its ends by a plate (160, 161).

According to an alternative, the cylindrical piece in the center of the crosspiece is not round but of a shape appropriate to the accessory that it supports.

Preferably, said cylindrical part is hollow. Alternatively, it could be full.

Preferably, at least one of said plates (160) is welded to said central cylindrical piece (162).

In order to insert an accessory on the central part (162), the second plate (161) is presented as a spare part which is fixed on the central cylindrical part (162) with at least one screw (175).

The width of said plates (160, 161) corresponds to the spacing between the stiffeners (111 and 113 or 121 and 123) of the envelope (100) of the profile of the foot shown in Figure 4. Said plates are slid between these two stiffeners and form a solid and stable structure.

The height of said plates can vary but they are preferably of identical size and not higher than the height of the feet (5, 6, 7, 8) in which they come to slip. The lower surface of said plates (160, 161) is preferably suspended between the stiffeners (111 and 113 or 121 and 123) of the profile of the feet. According to a variant and in order to reinforce the rigidity of the assembly made up of the crosspiece and its accessory, said plates may be longer in order to come into contact with the ground at the same level as the feet (5, 6, 7 , 8). Alternatively wedges can be used to connect the bottom of said plates with the ground.

Details of the assembly of the crosspiece and the foot

Figure 4 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the upper part of a foot. FIG. 5 represents views in section of different embodiment variants all responding to the same principle of operation.

The legs can all have the same height. Alternatively, a first size of low or intermediate foot can be provided for one of the ends and feet of intermediate or high height for the end intended to receive accessories. In this case, the same section will be cut at different intervals.

The foot is formed by a profile preferably made of aluminum of constant cross-section, having a tubular outer casing (100) of oval cross-section and an inner channel (110) of circular cross-section or of asymmetrical cross-section. The outer envelope (100) and the inner channel (110) are connected by stiffeners (111, 121).

The profile also has two longitudinal walls (112, 122) parallel to the longitudinal walls of the outer casing (100). These two longitudinal walls (112, 122) extend respectively between the stiffeners (111; 121) and stiffeners (113; 123) extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal walls of the outer casing (100). According to a variant, said stiffeners (113) and (123) join to form a single and same rib perpendicular to the longitudinal outer envelope of the profile (100).

The end opposite that where the channel (110) is located has a series of four ribs (114, 115; 125, 124) extending longitudinally, parallel to the longitudinal walls of the outer casing (100).

In the example described, these ribs (114, 115; 125, 124) extend from the inner surface of the curved part opposite the channel (110) as far as the stiffeners (113; 123) without however coming into contact with the surface of the stiffeners (113; 123).

A second channel (130) is positioned between the ribs (115, 125), and connected to the latter by transverse stiffeners (116, 126). It is used to receive a cap masking the front end of the foot (52, 62, 72, 82).

Alternatively, the channel (130) is positioned between the ribs (115, 125) and in direct contact with the interior of the outer casing (100).

Alternatively, the channel (130) is positioned between the ribs (115, 125) and in direct contact with the ribs (113, 123) which meet to form a single and same rib perpendicular to the outer longitudinal envelope of the profile (100 ).

Figure 6 shows the upper part of a foot made from a profile shown in Figure 4, after the cutouts (140) allowing the junction of the beams (1, 2) with the feet.

Figure 7 shows a rear three-quarter view of a spar section which is inserted into the foot.

Figure 8 shows a partial exploded view of the assembly of the components of the frame of the machine. According to the variant shown, the spar (2) of asymmetrical "T" shape is inserted into the profile of the foot where an opening has been cut against the ribs (123, 124, 125) of the foot.

Figure 9 shows an assembly variant of the transverse crosspiece (3, 4) and the foot (5, 6, 7, 8).

According to this variant, the outer faces of the profile of the foot formed from the ribs (117, 127) are positioned in the same plane as the outer surface of the longitudinal face of the casing (100) of the profile of the foot.

A cutout (156 or 150) is made on one of the side faces (117 or 127) of the casing (100) of the profile of the foot.

It has a general "U" shape and is located between the two stiffeners (111, 113 or 121 and 123), leaving two lips (151 and 152) on each side of the cutout (150 or 156).

This cutout (150 or 156) allows the introduction of the plate (160, 161) provided at the end of a crosspiece (3, 4) by vertical sliding (as shown in Figure 9).

The assembly is locked by one or more screws (153, 154) passing through the casing (100) and the plate (160) and being screwed respectively into the longitudinal walls of the profile of the foot (117 and 112 or 127 and 122) .

Alternatively, the inner walls of the profile of the foot formed by the ribs (122 and 112) have an opening or cutout of the same type as the indentation (150 or 156). The plate (160) provided at the end of the crosspiece (3, 4) is inserted against the opposite inner face of the peripheral casing (100) of the foot. For example, in the case of a cutout (150) on the outer face of the foot (100) consisting of the rib (127), the plate (160) slides along the inner longitudinal wall of the profile of the foot consisting of the rib (117) and the stiffeners (111 and 113). In this case, the plate (160) is locked by one or more screws passing through the casing (100) via the wall formed by the rib (117) and the wall formed by the rib (112). The assembly described above allows reinforcement of the support of the crossbar (3, 4) by bearing on 2 interior walls (112 and 122) and an exterior wall (117 or 127) of the profile of the foot.

Alternatively again, the crossbar (3, 4) has 2 or more plates (160) at each of its ends so that at least 2 plates (160 and 161) are inserted into the foot profile at at least two locations. between the stiffeners (111 and 113) as well as the stiffeners (121 and 123).

According to yet another variant, the plate(s) (160) have a height corresponding to the height of the foot into which they slide so that the lower front part contributes to the resistance to the load applied by the crossbar ( 3, 4).

The accessory of Drum

Figure 10 shows the drum accessory (55) able to be supported by said crosspiece (3) located at the front end of the frame of the machine.

Figures 15, 16 and 17 show complementary views of the drum (55).

Said drum comprises a central channel (174) of section greater than the cylindrical central section (162) of said crosspiece allowing the engagement of the drum on said crosspiece (3).

Preferably, said drum consists of a foam roller.

According to a variant, it consists of a rigid cylindrical roller (176) closed at each end by a cover (177) and covered with a foam coating.

Once inserted into said transverse crosspiece (3), the latter becomes the central axis allowing the rotary movement of the drum (55). Preferably, said drum can rotate on itself through 360° but a locking mechanism allows either to activate the rotation of the drum or to fix it in a stable position.

According to a variant, said blocking mechanism consists of a rod (171) which slips into the section (172) of the plate (161), then into the opening (173) of the side cover (177) of the drum to finally lodge in the central cylindrical section (162) of the cross-member (3).

The drum accessory (55) is further assisted by a set of two vertical bars (53 and 63) inserted respectively in the slots (51 and 61) of the profiles of the feet (5 and 6) and locked by the wheels ( 170). Said bars (53, 63) are arranged on each side of the drum (55). Handles (181) located at the upper end of said vertical bars (53, 63) serve as a support for a user performing exercises on the drum (55). Beyond the support of the handles (181), the bars (53, 63) also support the supports (182) on which are hooked the sling pulleys (184) which hold the ropes (185) attached to the mobile trolley (9) . The supports (182) slide along said vertical bars (53, 63) in order to be adjusted to the desired height for the sling pulleys (184). A wheel (183) is used to lock the height and to fix the position of the support (182) along the vertical bar having a certain number of predefined openings allowing the adjustment of the level of fixing of the support (182).

According to a variant, a platform (191) connecting the two beams (1) and (2) is associated with the drum accessory (55). Said platform (191) is either very close to the drum (55), as shown in Figure 10, or a little further away. It can even be very far from the drum (55) and is located equidistant from the end of the front machine where the drum (55) is located and the rear end of the reformer machine.

Figure 17 shows an alternative to the drum accessory where the original shape of said drum has been modified to create a flat surface (195) on one side while keeping a semi-cylindrical shaped surface (196) on the other bang.

According to a variant, the accessory of the drum includes a system of resistance to the rotary movement of said drum, preferably by springs or elastics, which generates a resistance to the movement of the drum when it is in the position of free movement. Preferably said resistance system is inside the drum.

The addition of the drum accessory (55) to the front of the Pilates machine facilitates the development of new exercise programs combining: (i) the benefits of the principles of the Pilates method whose objective is the development deep muscles, improving posture, muscle balancing and joint relaxation, for maintenance, improvement or restoration of physical functions; with (ii) the benefits of stretching principles, particularly for certain types of back stretches that are often limited in the traditional setup of a Pilates reformer machine.

At the same time, the drum also allows the development and integration of new sets of exercises complementary to the exercises and positions usually performed from a Pilates reformer machine; including exercises for abdominal strengthening but also muscle strengthening in the arms, legs and back.

The accessory of Rower

Figure 11 shows the rowing machine accessory (56) which constitutes an accessory capable of being supported by said crosspiece (3).

Said rower installed in an upright position has a central channel (178) of greater section than the cylindrical central section (162) of said crosspiece allowing the engagement of a magnetic resistance, hydraulic, water or air rowing wheel (59 ) on said cross beam.

According to a variant, said rower (56) is installed in a horizontal position under the transverse crosspiece (3) in order to cling on the one hand to said transverse crosspiece (3) and on the other hand to a base placed on the ground. Alternatively, said rower (56) installed in a horizontal position and hung under said transverse crosspiece (3) is placed directly on the ground.

According to another variant, said rower (56) installed in a horizontal position is hooked onto the top of the transverse crosspiece (3).

A rope (65) attached to a handle (66) is wound into the resistance wheel of the rower. A crosspiece (192) on which straps (68, 67) are attached serves as a footrest.

The addition of the rowing machine accessory (56) to the front of the Pilates machine facilitates the development of new exercise programs combining: (i) the benefits of the principles of the Pilates method whose objective is the development deep muscles, improving posture, muscle balancing and joint relaxation, for maintenance, improvement or restoration of physical functions; with (ii) the benefits of training principles aimed at increasing the rate of heart rate.

Finally, this combination of equipment: reformer machine and rower module, offers a new type of training to the user which alternates sequences on the rower intended to accelerate his heart rate with series of exercises that capitalize on resistance. reformer machine springs to work the muscles in depth.

The accessory of the Chair pedal

Figure 12 shows the chair accessory which constitutes a set of accessories able to be supported by said crosspiece (3) located at the front end of the frame of the machine.

Said assembly of the chair consists of a high horizontal shelf (57) fixed to the legs (50, 60) and/or the transverse crosspiece (3), at least one low shelf (58) fixed to a bar ( 35) attached to a cylindrical support (34) through which passes a second bar (33) itself attached to the bottom of the feet (5, 6). According to a variant, said bar (35) comprises a plate (80) at each of its ends which slides from bottom to top in the profile of the feet (5, 6) and between the ribs (117 and 112 or 127 and 122 ) of said feet.

At least one spring (70) is attached to said lower shelf (58) and to the transverse crosspiece (3) or the upper shelf (57). The spring mechanism makes it possible to create a resistance and to use the lower shelf (58) as a pedal allowing to carry out movements up and down.

According to a training variant, the user sits on the shelf (57), places his feet on the lower shelf (58) and presses said shelf with his feet and legs to push said lower shelf (58) towards floor. According to this variant, the upper horizontal shelf (57) must be fixed at a height equivalent to that of equipment of the 'Pilates chair' type, which implies an adjustment of the height of the feet (50, 60) (presented on the Figure 12) which are higher than the conventional feet (5, 6) (shown in Figure 2).

Thanks to the assembly mechanism by profiles of the feet and the longitudinal members (1, 2) forming the front end of the frame, it is possible to insert the said longitudinal members (1, 2) in higher feet (50, 60) than the usual feet (5, 6).

The addition of the chair (57) to the pedal (58) assembly at the front of the Pilates machine facilitates the development of new exercise programs combining: (i) the benefits of the principles of the Pilates method on reforming machine; with (ii) the benefits of the principles of the Pilates method on the pedal chair.

There accessory multimedia

Figure 13 shows a screen (169) or tablet used as a multimedia accessory. Said screen (169) is attached to the transverse crosspiece (3) by a support (168) which slides and attaches to said crosspiece (3) at the front end of the machine.

Alternatively, the same type of screen or tablet is attached to the cross member (4) at the rear end of the machine via a similar or different attachment method.

The addition of a multimedia tool to the Pilates machine facilitates the communication of exercise instructions during the session as well as the distribution of (i) educational content related to the practice of the Pilates method, or (ii) entertaining intended for distract the user for all or part of the duration of his training.

Accessories connected

Advantageously, all the equipment capable of being supported by said transverse crosspiece (3) can include intelligent, technological or connected functionalities. Sensors or sensors can be installed on the accessories in order to monitor their activity and record information related to the use of these accessories.

For example in the case of a rowing machine accessory (56), sensors recording the rowing speed, the braking resistance and other variables useful for practice are included in the equipment.

The information related to the operation and use of the modular equipment (drum, rower, pedal chair, etc.) is transcribed on a screen fixed directly to said equipment (for example the rower), or on another multimedia tool associated with the Pilates machine (for example a smart mirror) and/or with the user (for example a connected watch).

Claims (11)

- Exercise equipment comprising a frame provided with a first end at the front, a second end at the rear and two beams which extend from the first end to the second end, a carriage supported by said beams being configured to perform translational movement along at least a portion of a length of said beams and having a planar support surface, a first set of springs supported by the carriage, said first set of springs being configured to extend in the direction of at least the first end of the frame, characterized in that
- Said frame further comprises two transverse crosspieces and four feet, at least one of said transverse crosspieces having at its front ends a head for engagement by translation in a direction perpendicular to the transverse axis in a complementary cavity formed on the surface interior of the corresponding feet
- Said transverse crosspiece constituting a support for transverse accessories. - Exercise equipment according to claim 1 characterized in that said transverse crosspiece further comprises a drum (55) having a central channel of section greater than the cross section of said crosspiece (3) or the opposite crosspiece (4). - Exercise equipment according to claim 2 characterized in that said drum (55) is pivotally mounted with respect to said transverse crosspiece. 4 - Exercise equipment according to claim 2 characterized in that said drum (55) comprises a locking mechanism for locking in a fixed position. 5 - Exercise equipment according to claim 2 characterized in that said drum (55) has an asymmetrical shape comprising at least one flat surface. 6 - Exercise equipment according to claim 2 characterized in that said drum (55) includes a resistance system by springs or elastics preferably installed inside said drum. 7 - Exercise equipment according to claim 1 characterized in that said transverse crosspiece further comprises a rowing wheel (56) with magnetic resistance, or hydraulic, or air, or water, constituting an accessory capable of being entirely or partly supported by said transverse crosspiece (3) or the opposite transverse crosspiece (4). 8 - Exercise equipment according to claim 7 characterized in that the rower accessory (56) comprises sensors dedicated to the collection of information related to the movement of the rower as well as a screen dedicated to the dissemination of said collected information. 9 - Exercise equipment according to claim 1 characterized in that said transverse cross member comprises a chair (57) with a pedal (58) constituting an accessory adapted to be fully or partially supported by said transverse cross member (3) or the transverse cross member (4) opposite. 10 - Exercise equipment according to claim 1 characterized in that said cross beam further comprises multimedia equipment, such as a screen or a tablet, supported entirely or in part by said cross beam (3) or the cross beam ( 4) opposite. 11 - Exercise equipment according to claim 1 characterized in that the accessory supported by the transverse crosspiece (3, 4) further comprises connected equipment.